Chapter Awards & Honors

The Planner of the Year Award recognizes a planner-member who represents leadership and excellence in the meeting planning profession along with a commitment to the local events community and our chapter.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Must be an MPI Carolinas Chapter member for a minimum of 3 consecutive years
• Served or currently serves as a committee member or committee chair
• Demonstrated dedication, commitment and involvement in the meetings industry
• Has not been selected in the past 5 years

Past Winners:

The Supplier of the Year Award recognizes a supplier-member who represents leadership and excellence in the meeting planning profession along with a commitment to the local events community and our chapter.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Must be an MPI Carolinas Chapter member for a minimum of 3 consecutive years
• Served or currently serves as a committee member or committee chair
• Demonstrated dedication, commitment and involvement in the meetings industry
• Has not been selected in the past 5 years  

Past Winners:

The Bizzell Award of Excellence was created in memory of Corey D. Bizzell, a longtime member of the MPI Carolinas Chapter. Corey exemplified excellence and dedication, not only to the chapter, but in every aspect of his life. He was a constant advocate of elevating our meetings industry to the next level. In honor of his legacy, the Chapter President will award a chapter member who has demonstrated a superior level of excellence, passion, and leadership in their service to our chapter.  

Past Award Recipients

• 2024 - Nicole Keshler
• 2023 - Cathy Carpenter
• 2022 - Rachel Whitten, CMP
• 2020 - Vince Chelena
• 2019 - Molly Johnson, CMP
• 2018 - Christine Irwin, CMP and Sarah Johnson
• 2017 - Tim Miron
• 2016 - Malinda Harrell, CMP, CASE
• 2015 - Ginny Fountain, CMP, CMM
  

This honor recognizes the meeting held in the last year that had the greatest impact and return on investment for our members. Certificates of appreciation will be awarded to all meeting partners involved in producing the meeting.

Past Recipients

• 2024 - Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown - February 2024 Chapter Meeting
• 2023 - Drive Shack Raleigh - October 2022 Chapter Meeting
• 2022 - Raleigh Marriott Crabtree - September 2021 Chapter Meeting
• 2020 - Graylyn International Conference Center - January 2020 Chapter Meeting
• 2019 - Marriott Twin City Quarter / Benton Convention Center - July 2018 Chapter Meeting
• 2018 - The StateView Hotel - March 2018 Chapter Meeting
• 2017 - Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley - September 2016 Education & Business Exchange
• 2016 - Spartanburg Marriott - March 2016 Chapter Meeting

This award honors a committee's outstanding contributions to the Chapter during the current year and is selected by the Chapter President.

Past Award Recipients

2024 - Business Exchange & Auctions

Business Exchange: Christian Schroeder, Ariana Pearsall, CMP, Floyd Isley, Karen Wall

Auctions: Nicole Keshler, Kathryn Short, Shelley Cromartie, Maria Lopez, Karen Wall

2023 - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Mitch Savoie Hill, CPC, Tarshi McCoy, CMP, TMP, Kathryn Short, Malinda Harrell, CMP, CASE, Renita Williams, Erin White, Shannon Groff, Kesha Moore

2020 - Member Engagement

Alicia Miller, Yolanda Diaz, Olivia Terrell, Rachel Whitten, Teresa Gitomer, Alicia Perry, Heide Roland, Diane Weems, Benny Williford, Claudia Wooten-Outlaw, Tammy Pleasants-Merritt, Brittany Ruebesam, Lance Miller, Tarshi McCoy

2019 - Marketing & Communications

Mindy Kozlowski, Najauna White, Ashelyn Roberts, Cathy Mauldin, Nicole Filippo, CMP

2018 - Education

Wendy Jeffries, Alison Flaig, Nicole Filippo, CMP, Sharon Elder, Tammy Jeffries

2017 - Social Media

Mica Parekh, Jean Travers, Neelam Patel, Tennessa Moore, Najauna White

The Hall of Fame Award recognizes a long-standing MPI Carolinas Chapter member who has continually contributed to the chapter with their ongoing commitment and a strong sense of leadership and volunteerism. This person has exemplified professionalism, dedication and overall excellence in the chapter, the meetings industry and in the community in which they serve.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Current, active MPI Carolinas Chapter member with minimum of 10 years of membership
• Served or currently serves as a committee member, committee chair or Board member
• Has not been previously selected
• Nomination will be reviewed and approved by current Board of Directors 

Past Award Recipients:

This award is selected by the current Chapter President. This is not a mandatory award that must be given each year, but it is at the discretion of the President. It is given to a Chapter member whom the president feels has given 110% to MPI Carolinas Chapter during his/her membership and may be awarded at a chapter meeting or the annual meeting.

Past Award Recipients:

This award recognizes a Chapter member for their enthusiastic contributions to the chapter, involvement in a committee and demonstrated leadership ability during their first four years of membership.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Current, active MPI Carolinas Chapter member with 4 years or less of membership
• Currently employed as a meeting planner or industry supplier
• Has not been selected in the past 3 years
• Demonstrates exemplary leadership skills

Past Award Recipients:

This award is presented to a member who is going above and beyond as a volunteer to the Chapter. They can be a committee chair, committee member or even a brand new chapter member who has already started to shine.

Criteria for Eligibility:

• Current, active MPI Carolinas Chapter member
• Currently employed as a meeting planner or industry supplier
• Committee membership (current members of the Board of Directors are not eligible)
• Involvement in committee-driven initiatives within the past year

Past Award Recipients 

• 2024 - Jason Arnold
• 2023 - Kathryn Short
• 2022 - Melanie Mason, CMP
• 2020 - Rachel Whitten
• 2019 - Olivia Terrell 
• 2018 - Cathy Mauldin, CMP
• 2017 - Kathy B. Flowe, CMP
• 2016 - Linda Ilsley, CMP